A common user domestic cargo terminal (CUDCT) has started functioning at the Trivandrum International Airport. Airlines operating from domestic terminal of the airport, namely Air India, Indigo, Jet Airways and Spice Jet will handle cargo operations through the CUDCT. Keku Bomi Gazder, CEO, AAI Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Company (AAICLAS) has inaugurated the facility at the old domestic building of the airport. An X-ray machine for the CUDCT was brought from Mumbai. The facility was set up at a cost of Rs 50 lakh. “We hope to have nearly 500 tonnes of cargo movement in the first month and increase of 15-20 per cent in the coming months,” said Gazder.

Piyush Goyal has replaced Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu as the Minister of Railways. Goyal was the MoS (I/C) for Power, Coal, New & Renewable Energy and Mines in the Government of India. He will reportedly get to manage his power portfolio as well. He is currently a Member of Rajya Sabha and was earlier the National Treasurer of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He headed the BJP’s Information Communication Campaign Committee and oversaw the publicity and advertising campaign of the party including the social media outreach for the Indian General Elections 2014. He is an all-India second rank holder Chartered Accountant and second rank holder in Law in Mumbai University. He was a well-known investment banker and he has advised top corporates on management strategy and growth. He earlier served on the Board of India’s largest commercial bank, the State Bank of India and Bank of Baroda.

Amara Raja launches Amaron Brute- Hi Life Batteries to power the forklifts in manufacturing, processing and warehousing industry. The product is designed to cater to the needs and fill the existing gaps for a superior product for motive power applications in manufacturing, processing and warehousing industry. Built to the highest technical competence in its class, Amaron Brute- Hi Life Batteries has been tested extensively in premier manufacturing facilities in Europe.

Domestic cargo has registered a growth of 8 per cent at a CAGR during FY07-17, whereas international cargo grew at 6.2 per cent annually during the same period, according to an ASSOCHAM-Yes Bank joint study. Air Cargo should be treated at par with other logistics sector like roads which is subject to 5 percent tax rate. It is recommended that air cargo tax rate may be reduced from 18 percent and considered for a lower tax bracket, reveals the joint study on ‘Civil Aviation’ released.

Ashish Pednekar, presently Chairman Elect, FFFAI, is going to take over as Chairman of the Federation after its forthcoming AGM to be held on September 22 in Mumbai when a new Executive Committee will take charge for two years’ term 2017-19. As a new Chairman for this term Pednekar has several innovative plans & programmes in his mind to strengthen FFFAI as well as customs broking, freight forwarding and logistics industry in India.

FedEx Express has announced its association with the 18th edition of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards as the official logistics service provider. The IIFA Weekend & Awards has become one of the most coveted and highly anticipated award celebrations that honors the very best of Indian Cinema, over the last 17 years. “Cinema is celebrated and followed passionately around the world, especially in India. This year we are delighted to sponsor the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards, and provide our global transportation and logistics expertise to IIFA”, said, Philip Cheng, Vice President – Ground Operations, FedEx Express India, in adding, “Through this association we are reaffirming our commitment to the film industry by connecting people and opportunities, and taking local traditions and cultures to global destinations.”

CMA-CGM began the new INDIAMED service to Mumbai with the arrival of the 5,009 TEU capacity at APM Terminals Mumbai. The weekly service provides the fastest transit times between India and CMA CGM hub ports in the Mediterranean and Arabian Gulf, and expands the transhipment network through the MEGEM (East Mediterranean to/from Middle East destinations) and MEDEX (West Mediterranean to/from Middle East and Indian Sub-Continent) services.

Celebi Delhi Cargo terminal went live with Kale’s Galaxy (Domestic module) Cargo Management system as part of the phase wise implementation of the entire suite of Galaxy Air Cargo management software system comprising of EXIM operations, warehouse management, UD, invoice and accounts and domestic operations. The new age domestic module incorporates next generation features like mobile app, customer portal, hand-held based app and EDI with airlines. In order to keep pace with the ever-increasing domestic cargo demands, Celebi Delhi has partnered with Kale Logistics Solutions to automate their air cargo and terminal operations.

Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India (FFFAI), in association with Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India and Maritime Nation India is organising an interactive business session to popularise the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) Route among the potential stakeholders in an attempt to promote the strategic route. The INSTC Conference will be held on September 16, 2017 at International Exhibition Centre, Vashi, Navi Mumbai from 2:00 pm to 03:30 pm. FFFAI had carried a dry run study and organised three international conferences on INSTC to popularise and promote this route which is an unexplored potential market for exporters and importers in India. “Looking forward we would like to seek more participation from trade and stakeholders on INSTC Route to reach RUSSIA/ CIS countries via Iran with competitive price and lesser time with the development taken place in shipping goods and infrastructure,” said Shankar Shinde, Vice Chairman, FFFAI who is spearheading the INSTC project from the Federation. He also maintained that Indian freight forwarders and logistics companies can substantially benefit from operating on INSTC Route thanks to cost competitiveness.

Krishnapatnam Port has conceptualised and installed a first-of-its-kind Automated Fertilizer Handling System (AFHS) in India. The innovative infrastructural set-up was inaugurated by Amitabh Kant (I.A.S), CEO, Niti Aayog at the port. The AFHS at Krishnapatnam Port is one of the most modern and technologically superior infrastructural set up which will be equipped to handle end to end fertilizer cargo operations right from the cargo discharge from vessel till evacuation by road/rail. A more reliable, economical and an all-weather cargo handling solution, AFHS will enable the port to meet the increasing demand of imported fertilizers. Offering requisite efficiencies, flexibility and precision in operations, with the new system installed, the port is expecting to meet the needs of fertilizer importer in a smart and efficient manner.